Global Statistics

Regional Statistics

Burkina Faso (pop. 13,723,000; GDP/cap US$454) is a small, poor, landlocked country, located to the North of Ghana. Post-independence, it experienced coups and military rule. After President Blaise Campaore came to power in 1987, a multi-party parliamentary republic emerged.

The country relies heavily on foreign aid. Despite substantial gold reserves and untapped mineral resources, the majority of the population still relies on agriculture, mainly cotton. The government is undertaking privatization and austerity measures, the benefits of which remain to be seen.

Political stability is tenuous, given a weak economy, corruption, the inability to service demands of the factionalized civil society, and the spillover effects of the ongoing war in neighboring Cote d’Ivoire.